US Olympian Gary Russell, Jr. of Capitol Heights, MD returned to action with a victory at the first USA Boxing Invitational in Bridgeport, CT last night.
Normally a bantamweight, Russell fought as a featherweight and defeated Robson Conceicao of Brazil by a 27-8 final decision. The bout was Russell's first since the world championships last October in Chicago. Russell has been nursing a shoulder injury since that time.
UPDATE: In a recent article on Boxingtalk.com, writer Kirk Lang had this to say about Russell's performance during this event:
"Bantamweight Gary Russell, Jr. took the American squad to 2-0, in front of an announced crowd of 3,473, with a dominant 27-8 points win over Brazil’s Robson Conceicao. Russell’s win was even more impressive considering he had stepped up to the featherweight division to take on Conceicao and hadn’t fought since the 2007 AIBA World Championships back in October. Russell’s incredible hand speed often had Conceicao in retreat mode - and that was just in the opening round. His rapid-fire bursts of leather made it tough for Conceicao to find opportunities to land. Although Russell likes to mix up his punches, he blasted Conceicao with the straight left hand four times in a row early in the third frame. The fourth and final round started off a little slow but Russell picked it up by the end of the stanza. He registered seven landed punches while Conceicao only got credit for three connects. Russell is definitely "one to watch." There was no trophy for "boxer of the night," but if there had been, Russell would have deserved it."
The story of the Russell Family was the subject of a very nice article by Chris Elsberry that appeared in the Connecticut Post. Here is the link:
"http://www.connpost.com/ci_9199485?source=most_emailed">
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Another (somewhat sad; also maddening) article about the Russells struggling to pay to go to China.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/03/AR2008050301080.html
Digital, I emailed this to you earlier; any way we can help out?
I will try and find out. A lot of the PG promoters are helping out at their shows.
Maybe The PVA could hold a couple fund raisers at SRL and donate the gate. Juice are you out there? They could do a raffle and help a good cause. He is one of our. Now is when the Golden Boys or Top Ranks could show real interest in this young mans career.
In a article in the Washington Post (Click link) Green Comes Before Gold, Gary Sr. says that the promoters that have offered wanted Gary to guarantee signing with them as a pro. His response was that he would rather miss the Olympics altogether rather than sign away Gary for a trip.
I am definitely on board with figuring out a way that the 'DC' boxing community can help send the family instead of some shady promotoer.
I attended Gary's fundraising press conference and I gave what I could, but where are all the heavy hitters who spoke and "guaranteed" that they would send the family. POLITICIANS especially. Those who were there know what I'm talking about and I won't name names. Don't make us call you out.
WE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE DISCUSSING THIS SUBJECT!!! The Russell's should be concentrating on boxing.
And Packing.
Jason Turner.... DC boxing commission, where are you?
Mayor Fenty?
You should be asking Jack Johnson -- Prince George's County Executive -- or maybe Martin O'Malley, the Govenor of Maryland as well.
I COMPLETELY disagree! As long as the young man gets there, that's all that counts. Sure, it is the Olympics and it very well may be the highlight of the young man's boxing career. Sure, it would be great if the entire family could come out to support one of their own in person. But this is called L I F E and sometimes that's just the way it is (life that is).
you, again.
Yes. Us yet again. The ones who's pocket's are being picked to send you all to ride on GARY's thunder. Are you guys all going want us to pay so you can accompany him on his honeymoon too? Get a life. Let Gary be the man he is and stop mooching on his gold.
Let me first say that I'm not a part of the Russell family or camp, I'm just a fan of the sport.
We always raise funds when something bad happens (murder, fires, orphans, etc) which I'm all for, but can't donate $$ for something good? Not everyone has $10K per person to drop, whether your a "man" or not.
I just think that to help Gary have his family with him will also help him concentrate on what he's been doing best for the past 12 years - boxing.
Also, I wasn't the one that stood up before hundreds of family, friends and media and promised that Gary's family would be with him (unnamed politicians). I was there and I heard it - AND BELIEVED IT!
Everyone's entitled to their opinion and I won't let one or two people's negativity deter me.
Do you know how many things I don't agree with that my tax money goes to? I can't control that or dodge it like Wesley, but I can control helping a positive young man's family get to support him in person. Just tell me how to get the money to the Russell's. I would rather do it anonymously than hand it to them in person.
They are raising funds for Raynell Williams in Cleveland:
Fans Raising Money. . .
The are raising funds for Canadian athletes:
Beijing or Bust
The are raising funds for an Olympic gymnast:
Shayla Worley
Ok, do you get the picture. It's your right to disagree, but when that young man is standing on the podium getting that Gold, just know that you had nothing to do with it.
Gary said he was going for the Gold "for all [my] supporters" . .
Mr. A.N. Onymous
People are not saying they don't want to contribute. I am saying that asking (really more like insisting) that we contribute for the WHOLE family is too much. I think it's insulting to say that because I disagree with that I don't support Gary I do and I would also be willing to contribute what I can for ONE member to accompany him. In our country you don't have to dig deep to support the Russell Vacation Fund on Gary's Gold. That's reality.
Man, I love Mr. A.N's attitude!
You and I c i 2 i.
If you know Gary, you know how much his family means to him. if you support him, why not support giving him an opportunity to be worry free in Beijing?
So, if he had a single dad raising him, you wouldn't care if I said we need to send his "family"? He just happens to have a big family. It soundsl like your are reacting to the number of family members, but it is what it is. I wouldn't want my family separated for weeks.
If you were an Olympian, I'm sure you would feel different too.
Everyone knows that the Russells are a very tight family - other Olympians may not need the support of their family but we are talking about Gary. I just feel since this a once in a lifetime opportunity, why not try to have the family that got him there experience this together and in person. Is it a vacation? Maybe. I don't really care if it is.
Again, I'm not "insisting" anything - I'm just saying do what you say you will. There were enough people who committed publicly to getting them ALL over there that have the ways and means to make it happen. Just do it or at least try.
Now for all I know, it's in the works. But, until it is confirmed, I'll keep pushing.
A.N.
Well, first I still don't understand how many family members OUR champion needs to be there so he can feel soft and just cushioning right to perform as he has and should.
And really what the hell is "ALL of them"?
Gary...do you really need you mom there to be the man you should be??????
Gary is already the worlds' and the world is already Gary's.
He's that good.
Great what the genes brought to the game this far.
Blessing on the family from God above. AMEN.
Blood sweat and tears. That is always the family's role.
Come on Gary. Roll like the man you already are.
IS the only way GARY RUSSELL can win is if mom and pop are holding the gloves?
COME ON GARY...CAN'T YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING?
If you can't and you need that, well just say so.
All = Gary III, Gary IV, Gary V, Gary VI, Gary VII oh yeah and mom. lol
oops and Gary Sr.
Gary's beyond cool.
Needs nothing more than what he has already brought all along to HIS gold table.
Gary,
FANS ARE HERE FOR YOU!!!
Did you ever think maybe the gesture of helping defray the enormous expense is just as much for the family as it is for Gary? I just think it would be great, not that HE needs it. He's got what he needs - talent. Bring home the Gold, G!!!
People are giving and helping to defray the cost. Stop trying to run guilt trips.
No one really cares about Gary's family, except Gary's family. As it is and should be. You guys have been watching toooo much reality tv.
I will help Gary get to china in anyway I can. However, I refuse to send his mommy and Daddy on a free trip. Where is all the money from the last 6 fund raisers? Who has it? Where did it all go? Something sounds fishy here!!!!! Gary will at least win the bronze no matter what. He is a little man and he can handle this situation just fine. Hw will medal in Bejing China and he will go onto becoming a title holder within 2 years. the man can bang with the best of them...
I will help Gary get to china in anyway I can. However, I refuse to send his mommy and Daddy on a free trip. Where is all the money from the last 6 fund raisers? Who has it? Where did it all go? Something sounds fishy here!!!!! Gary will at least win the bronze no matter what. He is a little man and he can handle this situation just fine. Hw will medal in Bejing China and he will go onto becoming a title holder within 2 years. the man can bang with the best of them...
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